My vexatious breasts are at it again, finding new and horrific ways to cause me grief. I suppose I should know better than to tempt fate with a question like “what’s next.” The answer is a rocking case of mastitis. Fever, chills, wretched body aches, and it feels like I have a ball of hot lead tucked into my right breast. Good times.
What really surprised me was how fast it came on. I had a bit of tenderness Tuesday night, and Lucas was being fussy feeding on that side. I figured I would have another blocked duct by morning, but had no idea how quickly it would become an infection. By midmorning yesterday I knew I was in trouble. Luckily, my GP saw me last night and I’m already on antibiotics. Yeah, lucky me.
Mastitis has always been my personal boogeyman, something I’ve been terrified of throughout my breastfeeding years. And as Stephen King observed, while the monster exposed can never be as frightening as the monster in the closet, it’s still pretty darn sucky. One more experience to add to my mothering portfolio. Pass the Advil, willya?
Hallmark doesn’t make cards for that. I checked.
without a doubt, when I had a bout of mastitis, it was the sickest I had ever felt. hope you feel better soon.
as Chris put it, the fever, aching and chills that go with mastitis are horrendous. And when my fever finally broke for good on the third night, me and my bed were drenched to soaking. Unbelieveable. Totally feel for you.
*hugs*
I so feel you too girl! The absolute worst part of breastfeeding. I had it with my 3rd pregnancy (twin birth) for the first time and I was really scared! I really thought there was something terribly wrong with me until I did a little research on the internet to calm my nerves! I don’t remember having it with my last child though. Weird…sometimes all the pregancies are a big blob! LOL! In case you’re trying to figure things out, I had 4 pregnancies and have 5 kids! 🙂 Anyway, is it just me that’s thinking, why didn’t are mothers warn us about this monster?? Thank you for posting it for some mom out there wondering if she’s sane like I was 4 years ago!
Having just got over a bout of blocked ducts that ALMOST turned into mastitis, I feel ya. I also have another remedy that could work for you – it did for me. The midwives suggested Lecithin, which is a natural supplement of sorts. (it’s found in many foods, and acts as an emulsifier). It worked like a charm – google it and see. You can buy it at any major drug store in the vitamin aisle.
I actually passed out from the pain when I had it. I did not even know that something was wrong when I went to be that night. Woke up to feed the baby at 2 am and passed out by the cradle. Thank God I had not picked the baby up yet. I had no idea I was THAT sick. Hot water and drugs and the pain goes away pretty fast.